Front End Development: Programming Languages, Job Outlook, and Resources
From online blogs, video games, and even your favorite shopping site, front end programming is a fact of life for all technology users, and the job market for front end developers is better than ever. Salaries are high and always increasing, so now is the time to jump into the industry. But before you dive in, it’s a good idea to learn about some of the more common front end programming languages.
In this article, we’ll go over the basics of front end web development and cover the most important front end coding languages that you’re sure to encounter on your journey to break into tech!
What’s the Difference Between Front End Development and Back End Development?
Also known as front end developers, these coders are responsible for everything users actually “see” on the internet. From the way a page responds when you click on a link to the color or font size of a blog, everything that can be seen by the viewer is in the realm of front end development. While we’ll only be focusing on front end development, it’s important to understand that back end development works behind the scenes on the server-side of things. Back end developers focus on aspects of the website that the user will never see. For example, a back end developer may work on the code for processing a payment or determining what a user sees when they open a certain page. They will primarily use Ruby, Python, and PHP.
Front End Developer Salary
Front end programming is a lucrative field. Most front end programmers earn an average salary of $79,929 each year. Moreover, the position is expected to see a 13% growth by 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Senior front end developers, however, typically earn $103,344 each year.
It’s also important to note that salaries will differ depending on location. For example, a San Francisco front end developers typically earn $112,171 each year, while Indiana front end developers earn about $62,958.
Front End Programming Jobs
Three common job titles that you might see for front end programming are:
- Front End Developer
- UI/UX Designers
UI/UX designers are front end developers who specialize in User Interface and User Experience. UI designers focus on the visual aspects of the website. This might include determining how elements like buttons, text, and images appear on a webpage. A UX designer, on the other hand, work to ensure that a website is user-friendly.
How to Become a Front End Developer
You’ll need to learn the coding languages detailed below. In addition to mastering these coding languages, you’ll also need to use the best practices of cybersecurity and be comfortable with pair programming. You’ll also need to be able to follow directions well, manage time, and take a leadership position when necessary. If you’re completely new to coding, you’ll most likely start out as a junior front end developer. However, after working your way through the ranks, you’ll soon find yourself working as a senior front end developer managing your own team.
Most Common Front End Programming Languages
As we’ve mentioned previously, there are important coding languages needed to become a front end developer. While some may seem easier to learn than others, front end development has one of the fastest turnarounds for coding education! The most common front end programming languages are:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
HTML
It’s important to understand the scope of HTML. Without this coding language, web pages wouldn’t work the way that they do. In short, HTML code formats the text, images, and other media that make up a webpage. The language communicates with the computer using a series of attributes and elements. HTML has evolved greatly over time. The language now enables web pages to host videos, and sound. It’s important to note that HTML couldn’t make a very functional webpage by itself. The programming language relies heavily on CSS and JavaScript. To make it as simple as possible, think of HTML as the structure of a website while CSS is the style and JavaScript is the functionality. HTML is a highly important coding language that has continued to help shape the internet and web browsing as we know it. So, why not learn it?
CSS
CSS or Cascading Style Sheets goes hand in hand with HTML. CSS takes the text-based website that you’ve made and applies things like color, images, videos, and other media to it. CSS makes websites look more appealing to viewers.
JavaScript
JavaScript is all about functionality. JavaScript is one of the most popular languages in the coding universe right now. JavaScript is also a highly diverse language that can be used to code anything from video games to websites. It can also be used for both mobile and desktop apps. JavaScript was a required skill for over 470,000 jobs in tech last year. Potential jobs could include web development, front end development, or JavaScript engineering.
Soft Skills for Front End Developers
Four important soft skills that will help you land jobs in front end development are:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Creativity
- Adaptability
Websites and technology are constantly evolving, so you will need the creativity necessary to stay on top of these trends and adapt to them. Excellent teamwork and communication skills are also necessary for collaborating with other front end developers, as well as interacting with designers, project managers, and quality assurance engineers.
Important Notes for Front End Developers:
You’ll also need to be familiar with Git and Github. It’s important for front end web developers to stay up to date on the latest innovations in programming and front end technology. Don’t stop with just the tech side of things! Learning prominent design aspects such as color theory and typography can also pay off big time when it comes to the proficiency of your own personal portfolio. Having a sound basis of design can give you a step above the competition as your projects will professional and overall more pleasing to the eye. Learning these skills will also prepare you for many other jobs within the tech industry should you ever feel the need to switch job roles.
What is a Coding Bootcamp?
If the prospect of working in the front end development sector interests you, you may be wondering where to begin. If you’re new to coding and want to get a well-rounded coding education, then coding bootcamps may be the best way to go.
“What is a coding bootcamp?” you ask? Coding bootcamps are intensive coding career training sessions that help you go from a novice to a career ready coder. Front end bootcamps last anywhere from 3 months to 2 years and can take place in person, online, or a hybrid of both. Many coding bootcamps have a combination of prep courses, projects, and portfolio building, pair programming, and career advisement. Most bootcamps run 5-6 days a week for 10-12 hours a day. From sun up to sun down you’ll be coding, attending classes, and completing additional projects to bulk up your portfolio. If you’ve already spent some time researching coding bootcamps, you may have your own questions on the subject. We here at BootcampRankings have the breakdown on all things coding bootcamp related!
Best Coding Bootcamps for Front End Programming
General Assembly and CareerFoundry are two of the top coding bootcamps for front end programming hopefuls.
1. General Assembly
General Assembly coding bootcamp is one of the few bootcamps out there that has a program specifically for front end web development. The classes take place in several locations across the globe and also online. They’re part time, two days a week, with the entire program lasting about two months. Tuition for General Assembly’s part time courses is significantly lower than competitors with the online front end development course costing just short of $4,000 USD.
2. CareerFoundry
CareerFoundry is an online coding bootcamp offering a full comprehensive course in web development. CareerFoundry offers a flexible 15 hour a week, 7-month program that is 100% online-based. Upfront costs for the program total $5225, however many financing options are available! CareerFoundry offers a money-back guarantee if you don’t find a web development job within 180 days of graduation.
It’s important to note that the above coding bootcamps are just five of the many options available to choose from. As more coding bootcamps become prominent, we can also expect new programs to become available.
Best Reference Resources for Front End Programming
While not as structured as coding bootcamps, these online resources are often cheap and provide great reference material to support your coding curriculum. Make sure to take note of these resources as they will serve you well throughout your coding journey. These are three of the best front end coding resources available.
.
1. Codecademy
Codecademy is one of the most popular online coding courses on the web. The site offers individual courses in 11 different programming languages or more inclusive courses by subject. Subjects include: web development, data science, and game development. Here’s the catch, when you sign up for Codecademy, you’re granted a 7 day free trial which unlocks all of the courses on the site. After this trial ends, you are only allowed access to the free courses since many courses are dedicated for “Pro” members only. If you’re looking to upgrade to Pro, memberships are anywhere from $20-$40 per month depending on your payment plan. Even if you don’t buy the Pro option, Codecademy might still be the right fit for you!
2. Udemy
Udemy is an online educational learning platform that offers classes in several subjects. These classes are outsourced through different universities and companies. While many of these courses cost money, some of them are free and offer great educational value!
3. edX
EdX is highly similar to Udemy in the fact that it outsources educational content. The site has many different subjects with hundreds of different courses to choose from. While you traditionally have to pay for content on edX, some courses offer an option to “audit” their class, which means that while you wouldn’t obtain certification or credit, you would be able to learn the material for free.
It’s important to note that these are only three of the many coding resources available online. It’s also important to look into other forms of media and resources including books on certain front end and back end concepts and in person workshops within your community or coding program.
